Spring bed-bottom.



No. 822,999. PATENTED JUNE l2, 1906. J. G. SMITH.

SPRING BED BOTTOM..

APQLIGATION FILED JUNI: 15.1904.

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John Gr. Smith. @311; wie/mama `MV yfqm DMFTSMAN No. 822,999. PATENTEDJUNE 12, 1906. J. G. SMITH. SPRING BED BOTTOM.

`APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15,1904.

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l D i 27 H 27 @aw/MM ha ff/a me/whom J 0h11 G. Smith` PATENTED JUNE 12,1906. .1. G. SMITH. SPRING BBD BOTTOM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15,1904.

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No. I922,999. PATBNTED JUNE 12, 1906. J. G. SMITH.

SPRING BED BOTTOM.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 15,1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4,

Witness@ John G. smith.

JOHN G. SMITH, or" CHICAGO .UNITED STATES PATE'T `OFIIIOE.

HEIGHTS,

ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR or ONE-HALF TO AMERICAN BED COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS,MISSOURI, A COR-PORAv TION OF MISSOURI.

SPRING BED-BOTTOM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 12, 1906.-

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN G. SMITH, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago Heights, county of Cook, State of Illinois, haveinvented a certain new and useful Spring Bed-Bottom, of which thefollowing is such a full, clear, and eXact description as will enableany one skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part ofthis specification.

My invention consists in part in the combination, with a frame, of aplurality of substantially parallel spring-wires provided with loops andone or more corrugated wires extending substantially at right angles tosaid affixed hereto.

first-named wires and loops thereof.

L '..My invention also consists in certain other novel features anddetails of construction, all of which Will be described in the followingspecification and pointed out in the claims In the' accompanyingdrawings, which illustrate some forms of spring bed-bottoms made inaccordance with my invention, Figure 1 is a top plan view. Fig. 2 is anenlargedisometric projection of the corner of the frame shown in Fig. 1.Figs. 3 and 4 are an end view and a side view, respectively, of theparts shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a to lan view showing a modified formof be ottom. Fig. '6 is a cross-section ofthe form l Y of bed-bottomshown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a cross-section of the frame of a bed-bottom,

` showing a still further modication. Figs.

8 and 9 are detailed views showing the manner of forming the wire fabricfor the formation of the bed shown in Fig. 7; and Fig. 10 is a top planview showing a bed similar to that shown in Fig. 7, but provided with amodified form of fabric and having one end folded up. Fig. 11 is across-section of the bed shown in Fi 10, both ends folded up. Fig. 12 isan enIarged view showing a detail of construction. Fig. 13 is a top planview showing a modified form of spring bed-bottom. Fig.

. 14 is an enlarged view of the fabric shown in Fig. 13, and Figs. 15and 16 are enlarged views showing modifications.

Like marks of reference refer to similar parts in the several views ofthe drawings.

Referring-first to Figs. 1 to 4, 15 represents end rails preferablyformed of angle-iron.

passing through the ner-pieces 17. These pockets 1 9 are formed by sideflanges 20, a top flange 21, and a bottom flange 22. may either be heldin position simply by the tension of the wire fabric secured to the endThe corner-pieces and siderails rails 15, as will be hereinafterdescribed, or

the corner-pieces may-be shrunk upon the ends of the side rails, so asto be practically formed integral therewith. 23 represents lugsextending from the sides of the cornerpieces 17 Each of thecorner-pieces 17 is also provided with a hooded projection for securingit to the head or foot piece of an ordinary iron bed. This projection ispreferably made of a bolt 24,passing through the back of thecorner-piece 17 and secured in position by means of a nut 25, so that itis both removable and adjustable. 13, Fig. 12, represents a portion ofthe head or foot piece of thebed. The

head or foot piece 18 is provided at each end with aninwardly-projecting portion 14, in'

which is formed a dovetailed opening 15. These openings 15 are usuallyabout of the form shown in Fig. 12. They, however, vary tion would notfit the various sizes. Owing to the fact, however, that the projection24 is adjust able, the-projection maybeused with any-sized opening, andthe parts may bepermanently drawn together by turning the nut 25. Theend rails 15 have formed in them at regular intervals openings 26 toreceive the end of longitudinal spring-wires 27. These spring-Wires 27have formed in them at regular intervals loops 28. The loops 28 are all.85 vconsiderably in size, so that a fixed projec" turned in the samedirection, and the portions 29 between the loops are curved. Theseportions 29 may either be curved in the same direction as the loops, asshown in Figs. 1, 4,

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and 5, or they may be curved in the opposite direction, as shown in Fig.10. The direction in which the parts 29 are curved de ends upon whethera stiffer or more elastic abrio is desired. If a stiffer fabric isdesired, the

parts 29 are curved in the same direction as the loops, as shown inFigs. 1, 4, and 5, While `if a more elastic fabric is desired they are.nnm A curved in the opposite direction,- as shown in Fi 10.-

designates corrugated transverse wires which ass through the loops 28 ofthe Wires 27. T ese corrugated wires are preferably two in number, asshown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, but more may be used, if desired. Bythe above described construction, 1n which longitudinal wires providedwith loops are supported only at their ends and a few intermediatepoints, with unconnected loops between the supportin points, the bedwill conform readily to the orm of the occupant. This is owing to thefact that the unconnected loo s between the supports can be depressebelow the supported 1Lpoints of the fabric, while in all other wireabriobeds of which I am aware if any two oints in the length of thebed-bottom are epressed the portion of the fabric between said pointswill extend in a straight line. In forming the bed-bottom the wires 27are placed in position with the loops vertical, as shown in Figs. 3 and4, and the corrugated wires are passed through the loop and secured tothe extreme side wires 27, after which the said wires 27 are twisted tobring the loops in a horizontal position, as shown in Fi 1. The tensionof thewires 27 thus holds t e loops 28 firmly in engagement with thecorrugations of the Wires 30, and thus prevents any lateral displacementof the wires 27. Y

In Figs. 5 and 6 I have shown a modificai tion which is similar to thebed shown in Fig.

1, eXce t. that in place of the side rails 18 side rais 35 are provided,which are in the same plane as the rails 15, and the side rails 15 arehinged or pivoted at 36, so that the bed may be folded. In order toallow the sides of the bed to be .folded down, the transverse wires 30are provided with hinges or joints 37. In this form of bed the bottom issupported by any suitable means, such as legs 38, (shown in Fig. 6,) andthe sides of the frame may be supported by any suitable means, such asthe curved guides 39.

In Fi s. 7, 8, and 9 I have illustrated a form of ed in which the bed isfolded transversely in place of longitudinally, as shown in Figs. 5 and6. In this construction the side rails 35 are provided with hinges orpivots 40, so that the ends of the bed may be folded up, as shown inFig. 7. The end rails 15 also preferably carry head and foot pieces 41.The ends of the frame may be supported by means of folding feet 42. Inthis construction in (place of the corrugated wires 30 being jointe orhinged it is necessary to oint or hinge the looped wires 27. This may bedone elther as shown in Fi 8 by hinging the parts of the strand 27 on te transverse wire 30, or it may be done, as shown in Fi 9, by hingingone of the wires 27 to the sai transverse Wire 30 and hinging the otherof the wiresto the first-named wire 27 In either case the frame,together with the wire fabric, can fold transversely. In making thisform of bed-bottom it is necessary to twist the wires 27 in onedirection at one end and in the opposite direction at the other end inorder to hold the loops 28 in engagement with the corrugations of thewires 30 by the torsionof the said wires 27, and owing to this the loopsIwill not lie in a horizontal plane, but will be disposed spirallyaround the wire, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

In Figs. 1() and 11 Ihave shown a bed similar to that shown in Fig. 7,in which, however, neither the longitudinal wires 27 nor the cross-wires30 are ivoted or hinged. In this construction the ongitudinal wires willbe bent, as shown in Fig. 11, when the bed is folded up. As the bends,however, are not sharp, the longitudinal wires will not be injured.

My bed-bottom, while very simple in construction and cheaplymanufactured, is very durable and has many desirable qualities. Owing tothe formation of the curved portions 29 between the loops 28, especiallywhen curved in a direction opposite to the loo as shown in Fig. 10, thebottom will yield to a short distance -with very little resistance; butafter these arts have become substantially straightened) and, the loops28 must be drawn together to allow the wires to yield further theresistanceis very greatly increased. In case the wires 27- becomestretched by use it is only necessary to place through the loops 28 somesmall implement, such as a nail or stiff piece of wire, and partiallyrotate the same in a vertical plane parallel with the wire. This willstretch the loops 28 apart and take up any slack in the wire. My wirefabric also has a great advantage in folding beds, such as shown inFigs. 5 and 6, as the corrugated transverse wires 30 hold thelongitudinal Wires in position so as to form sharp corners where thefabricliis bent and also to hold the vertical Vparts of the fabric afterit is folded rigidly in position, so that the said vertical parts actvery much in the same manner as would a vertical solid portion.

In Fig. 13 I have shown a still further modification, in which thelongitudinal wires 27 are arranged with the loops 28 in a verticalposition in place of in a horizontal position, as in structureshereinbefore described. In this construction-in place of using onecross-wire 3() at each point where it is desired to connect thelongitudinal wires I use two of the said cross-wires passing throughad'acent loops and connect these cross-wires by links 45, which firmlyhold the cross-wires together, and consequently prevent lateral movementof the longitudinal wires. The ends of these cross-wires 30 are hookedaround the loops 28 at 46. When the frame of the bed is hinged, as shownin Fig. 13, the

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cross-wires 30 are separated at the point where the fabric is to bend,and the adjacent strands 27' may either be connected by links 47, asshown in Figs. 13 and 14, or the adjoining cross-wires 30 may be hookedaround ghe loops 28 of the same strand, as shown in Fig. 15 I have showna modification in which the loop 28 in place of being circular iselongated inthe direction of. the Wire. With this construction there isless tendency to bend the loop at its lower portion, and conseuentlythis construction is used when it is desired to have the strand bear agreater load than is possible with the loop made circular.

I-Iaving fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In a spring bed-bottom, the combina-A tion with a frame, of aplurality of substantially parallel longitudinal spring-wires providedwith loops, and one or more cross-wires passing through the loops ofsaid first-named wires, said cross-wires being provided with means forspacing said first-named wires.

2. In a spring bed-bottom, the combination with a frame, of a pluralityof substantially parallel spring-wires provided with loops and extendinglongitudinally of said frame, and one or more corrugated wires extendingsubstantially at right angles to said irst-named wires and passingthrough the loops thereof.

3. In a spring bed-bottom, a combination with a frame, of a plurality ofsubstantially parallel spring-Wires provided with loops and extendinglongitudinally of said frame, a pair of cross-wires extendingsubstantially at right angles to said first-named Wires and passingthrough the loops thereof, and connections between said second-namedwires for holding them in position.

4. In a spring bed-bottom, the combination With a frame, of a pluralityof substantially parallel spring-wires provided with loops and extendinglongitudinally of said frame, a pair of corrugated crosswires extendingsubstantially at right angles to said first-named wires and passingthrough the loops thereof, and connections between said second-namedWires for holding them in po sition.

5. In a spring bed-bottom, the combination with a hinged frame, of aplurality of substantially parallel spring-wires provided with loops,one or more corrugated wires extending substantially at right angles tosaid iirst-named wires and passing through the loops thereof, and hingesin the wires corresponding to the hinges in said frame.

6. In a spring bed-bottom, the combination with a frame hinged at itsends, of spring- Wires extending longitudinally thereof and providedwith loops, one or more wires extending transversely of said frame andpassing through said loops, and hinges in said latter wire or Wires. 4

7. A spring bed-bottom composed of longitudinal extending spring Wiresprovided with loops, supports for the ends of said Wires, one or morecross-supports formed of corrugated Wires extending through the loops ofsaid longitudinal wires and connecting the same, said longitudinal wireshaving unconnected loops between said supports.

8. A spring bed-bottom composed of longitudinal spring-wires eachprovided with a plurality of loops, supports for the ends of said Wires,and one or more cross-supports connecting said Wires, each of saidcross-supports being composed of two connected Wires passing through theloops of said first-named Wires, said first-named Wires havingunconnected loops between said supports.

9. A spring bed-bottom composed of longitudinal spring-wires eachprovided with a plurality of loops, supports for the ends of said wires,and one or more cross-supports connecting said wires, said crosssupports each consisting of two connected corrugated wires passingthrough the loops of said irstnamed wires, said first-named wires havingunconnected loops between said supports.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and afiixed my seal inthe presence of the two subscribing Witnesses.

JOHN G. SMITH.

Witnesses:

D. C. BETJEMAN, M. L. BoNFrLs.

